Heat Stress Training
Agenda
1. What is Heat Stress - The Physiology
- Heat Exhaustion (Symptoms and First Aid) - Heat Stroke (Symptoms and First Aid)
- Other Conditions associated with Heat Stress 2. Who is Susceptible to Heat Stress
3. Heat Index (What is it and how to read it) 4. How to avoid Heat Stress
5. Understanding OSHA Requirements for Heat Stress Preventions
And The 4 basic requirements - Heat Stress Training
- Regular Breaks
- Shaded Cool Down Areas - Hydration
-Additional applications and PPE’s to bolster heat stress programs
6. Review- Heat Stress Illness on the Job 7. Resources and References
Physiology – What happens to your body in extreme heat?
People suffer heat-related illness when the body's temperature control system is overloaded. The body normally cools itself
by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn't enough. In such cases, a person's body temperature rises
rapidly.
Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs. Several factors affect the body's ability to cool itself
during extremely hot weather. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from
releasing heat quickly
Other conditions that can limit the ability to regulate temperature include age (over 45 yrs), youth (age 0-4), obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation,
sunburn, and prescription drug use and alcohol use.
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (1992) recommends that workers should not be permitted to work when their deep (core) body temperature exceeds 38°C
(100.4°F).
OSHA Technical Manual (OTM)
Section III: Chapter 4. CDC Heat Stress review
What is Heat Stress?
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms
• Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
• Heavy sweating
• Extreme weakness or fatigue
• Dizziness, confusion
• Nausea
• Clammy, moist skin
• Pale or flushed complexion
• Muscle cramps
• Slightly elevated body temperature
• Fast and shallow breathing
First Aid
• Treat a worker suffering from heat exhaustion with the following:
• Have them rest in a cool, shaded or air-conditioned area.
• Have them drink plenty of water or other cool, nonalcoholic beverages.
• Have them take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
Ref. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/
What is Heat Stress?
Heat Stroke
Symptoms
• Symptoms of heat stroke include:
• Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
• Hallucinations
• Chills
• Throbbing headache
• High body temperature
• Confusion/dizziness
• Slurred speech
First Aid
• Take the following steps to treat a worker with heat stroke:
• Call 911 and notify their supervisor.
• Move the sick worker to a cool shaded area.
• Cool the worker using methods such as:
– Soaking their clothes with water and or cover them with a wet sheet.
– Spraying, sponging, or showering them with water.
– Fanning their body.
Conditions of Heat Stress
Heat Cramping
This is caused by excessive heat and dehydration causing muscles to involuntarily seize and tighten.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss of the water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Workers most prone to heat exhaustion are those that are elderly, have high blood pressure, and those working in a hot environment.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related disorder. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body's
temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.
Compliments of http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/
Vulnerability to Heat Stress
Compliments of http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/
www.adph.org/injuryprevention
Although anyone at any age can suffer heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others.
Children 0-6 years of age.
People aged 45 and older have a reduced ability to acclimate to high heat environments and may not be able to recognize signs of heat stress as quickly.
People 60 or older are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses and complications that can result during periods of high temperatures and humidity in an even shorter amount of time.
The risk for heat-related illness and death may increase among people using the following substances: psychotropic medications, medications for Parkinson’s disease, tranquilizers, Alcohol, various Energy Drinks, High Blood Pressure Medication and diuretics.
Anyone not accustomed to or properly acclimated to High Heat exposure is very susceptible to Heat Stress illness. Employers should make gradual exposure arrangements for new employees exposed to High Heat Environments to help acclimate employee to High Heat area.
Heat Index
The Heat Index is a tool to help workers know and understand when there is a likelihood of Heat Stress occurring when the temperature along with relative humidity meet certain levels.
This index is also used to help supervisors and manager to plan work and break schedules appropriately to coincide with higher heat index levels throughout the work day based on daily weather
forecasts.
This can also help notify workers when the use of cooling PPE’s (cooling shades, vests etc..) are mandated through a companies Heat Stress program.
What to Expect?
-These are some of the related Dangers and Symptoms of Heat Stress corresponding by color on the Heat Index.
-Even by following the required measures to help reduce the effects of Heat Stress it is still everyone's responsibility to remain vigilant with your co- workers to make sure no one is showing any signs or symptoms of Heat Stress.
National Weather Service Chart NOAA
OSHA Requirements to combat & avoid Heat Stress in the workplace
Four basic requirements as per OSHA to help reduce Heat Stress
1 Heat Stress Training –
knowing and understanding the signs and symptoms of heat stress for yourself and coworkers – your doing it right now. With documented proof on file signed by Employee and Supervisor/Instructor.2 Rest and Regular Break Schedules –
helps keep the body from heat overload with rest periods and a chance to rehydrate.3 Shaded Cool Down areas –
A place to get out of the sun while resting on your scheduled breaks or when a worker feels any heat stress symptom.4 Potable Water and or Sports/ Replenishment Drinks
Easily accessible drinking water or sports beverages near cool down areas
http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_4.html#6
Additional Tools and PPE’s to bolster Heat
Stress programs
These items are suggested in the OSHA Technical Manual (OTM) Section III: Chapter 4 - also in Workplace Practices
section
Evaporative Cooling Apparel
Phase Change Cooling vests for High Heat Extreme Humidity areas and Under PPE Apparel
Cooling Fan &
Pop up Canopy for Shade
Cooler for Water or Sport Drinks
http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_4.html#6 sec B2 Work Practices sec. item E,I,K,N.
• Helps keep workers more comfortable during work periods between breaks.
• Helps reduce work errors with better focus on tasks.
• Helps reduce fatigue during work periods.
• Helps keep blood at skin level cooler.
• Can be used in coordination with any Heat Stress safety programs.
• An added preventative measure to reduce heat stress for workers exposed to High Heat conditions
Benefits of Using Heat Stress PPE’s & Apparel
http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_4.html#6 sec B2 Work Practices sec. item E,I,K,N.
Review
• What is heat stress-
When a persons body temperature rises and can no longer be controlled by their own bodies cooling mechanisms. The body's core blood temperature begins to exceed 100.4 degrees.• What are some signs of Heat stress and Heat Stroke -
Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating, Hallucinations, Chills, Throbbing
headache, High body temperature, Confusion/dizziness, Slurred speech, Fainting, Cramping,
• What are the 4 basic requirements OSHA expects in regards to any Heat Stress Safety program-
1 -Heat Stress Training –2- Rest and Regular Break Schedules 3- Shaded Cool Down areas 4 - Potable Water and or Sports/ Replenishment Drinks
• What do you when a coworker shows symptoms of heat stress-
Have them rest in a cool, shaded or air-conditioned area.Have them drink plenty of water or other cool, nonalcoholic, non
caffeinated, beverages. Have them take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
• What do you do when a coworker shows symptoms of heat stroke-
Call 911 and notify their supervisor. Move the sick worker to a cool shaded area. Cool the worker using methods such as:Soaking their clothes with water and or cover them with a wet sheet.
Spraying, sponging, showering them with water. Fanning their body.
Contact and Resources
Data sourced from;
• http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/
• www.stanford.edu/dept/EHS
• www.nws.noaa.gov/os/heat/index.shtml
• http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_4.html#6
• OSHA Technical Manual (OTM) Section III: Chapter 4
For more information on products to help reduce heat stress Contact;
Techniche International 1261 Liberty Way, Suite A
Vista CA 92081
Test to Follow
Please Complete Handout Test or Please log in to the below link;
https://www.classmarker.com/online- test/start/?quiz=7tf552306413e5f3
(5 questions online – Please cut and paste link into your browser)
Be sure to input your full name and email at the start of the test or your participation cannot be recorded.
A certificate of completion is available once the quiz is successfully completed. It should then be placed in the
company safety file per OSHA.
If completing handout test please sign and have you supervisor verify your participation and completion of this training as well as
keeping an Attendance Sheet for all who attended
